In a record-breaking jewelery auction organized by Bolaffi, the most prized piece was a rare 4.61-carat Kashmir blue sapphire, sold for 370 thousand euros after a long series of bids involving international collectors.
The sapphire, characterized by its peculiar uniform velvety blue colour, the most sought after and appreciated, had been given to Aste Bolaffi, together with other precious stones, by the heirs of an important Milanese family. It lacked certifications certifying its origin, Aste Bolaffi therefore commissioned the SSEF of Basel (Switzerland), one of the most authoritative institutions in the world for the analysis of precious stones, to carry out the gemological investigations.
The research made it possible to officially confirm the origin of the sapphire: the Indian region of Kashmir where, in the second half of the nineteenth century, a small mine rich in sapphires of extraordinary beauty was discovered.
At auction, among other lots, were also a pair of earrings in blue sapphires and diamonds, sold for 167 thousand euros, a necklace made up of 5 strands of natural salt water pearls, purchased for 143 thousand euros, a carnelian cameo by the famous engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, sold for 45 thousand euros. The final result of the auction, which took place over the telephone and in the Sala Bolaffi in Turin, was over 2.4 million euros.
"It is a memorable auction both in general, for the record of the jewelery department, and for this spectacular sapphire, which is proof of the added value that Aste Bolaffi can offer to sellers - comments CEO Filippo Bolaffi - Specifically, I am proud to have been able to demonstrate this, thanks to the competence and stubbornness of our specialist, Maria Carla Manenti, who allowed the selling family to see a beautiful sapphire transformed into a stone of exceptional provenance. The other added value - concludes Filippo Bolaffi - was given by our international network which brought the most important buyers from all over the world to battle at the auction, thus allowing the sensational result".
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